While waiting for Tara outside the classroom, Zydan pulled out his Holophone and launched his chess app. Over the past 30 days, he had accumulated 3,000 Digicoins from playing chess, as the system rewarded him for every match he won. His skills had steadily improved, and now his chess level had risen to Intermediate. The thrill of outsmarting his opponents had become a new addiction, and with every victory, Zydan could feel his strategic thinking sharpening.
As he got absorbed in another game, the time flew by, and before he knew it, Tara walked out of the building, ready to go. "Alright, Zydan, let's get those running shoes," she said with a grin, clearly amused by how engrossed he was in his chess match.
Zydan finished his game and smiled up at her. "Thanks for helping me out, Tara. I'm starting to think these shoes might be the most important purchase I'll make this month."
They walked together to a famous shoe shop in town, known for its quality athletic gear. Tara chatted with Zydan about running and fitness as they browsed through the selections, offering her opinion on different brands and styles.
As they browsed through the aisles of the famous shoe shop, Tara examined a few pairs before glancing over at Zydan with a thoughtful look. "You know," she said, holding up a sleek pair of running shoes, "I think I might need to start running too. Maybe it's time I got back into shape."
Zydan smiled at her, amused. "Well, running's been good for me so far. Maybe we can do it together sometime."
Tara chuckled, placing the shoes in her basket. "Deal. I could use a running partner to keep me motivated. Besides, if it's making you look this good, it's probably worth a try."
Zydan laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed by the compliment but grateful for her company. They both ended up at the checkout counter, each with a new pair of shoes. As they left the store, Zydan couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment—not just for the day's tasks but for the small changes in his life that seemed to be adding up.
As Zydan and Tara left the store, a familiar system chime echoed in his mind. He glanced down at his Holophone, and a system message flashed across the screen:
***Congratulations! Due to your ability to subtly seduce a woman older than you***
Rewards:
Soulbind has increased by 10 points
Heartwave has increased by 10 points.
10,000 digicoins
Zydan's face turned bright red. The system seemed to be making fun of him. His heart pounded as he quickly swiped the message away, hoping Tara didn't see. Luckily, she was too busy adjusting her new shoes in the bag.
Trying to play it cool, Zydan let out a nervous laugh. "Uh… let's get some coffee. My treat," he said, hoping to move past the awkward moment.
Tara looked up with a smile, completely unaware of his panic. "Sure, sounds good. Lead the way."
—
Zydan and Tara arrived at the coffee shop—her coffee shop.
Tara crossed her arms and gave him a playful look. "So, let me get this straight… You brought me to my coffee shop to treat me?"
Zydan's face grew even redder as he fumbled for words. "Uh… yeah, I guess I didn't think that one through."
Tara laughed. "Well, at least the coffee's good!"
Tara laughed, shaking her head. "You're lucky I find this amusing, Zydan. But next time, let's aim for somewhere different."
Zydan let out a relieved chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Noted."
Tara's eyes caught sight of the French book sticking out of Zydan's bag. "Les Aventures de l'Arsène Lupin, huh?" She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I didn't know you were into French literature."
Zydan nodded, pulling the book out. "Yeah, I've been reading it lately. Lupin's a fascinating character—witty, charming, always outsmarting everyone."
Tara's expression shifted as she thought about it. "But there's also a tragic side to him, don't you think? He's a master thief, but at the same time, he's always longing for something more… something he can never have."
Zydan leaned back in his chair, considering her words. "You're right. For all his success, there's this emptiness in him. He's always on the run, always pretending to be someone else. No matter how clever he is, there's a loneliness to that life."
Tara nodded, her gaze distant for a moment. "He's brilliant, but he's also trapped by his own choices. He can never settle down, never be at peace. Even with all his talent, he's still chasing something he might never find."
Zydan flipped through the pages of the book, resonating with her words. "It's like no matter how many victories he has, there's always that underlying sadness. It makes him more human, I guess. He's not just a thief; he's someone struggling with his own identity."
Tara smiled softly. "That's what makes him so compelling. He's not just a hero or a villain. He's someone who's constantly searching, trying to fill a void that can't be filled."
Their conversation lingered on the complexities of Lupin's character, the depth behind his actions, and the tragedy of his endless pursuit. It wasn't just a discussion about a book—it was a reflection on life itself, on the desires and struggles that drive people forward, even when the end goal seems unreachable.
As Zydan's shift began, he felt a deeper connection to the story, and to the conversations he and Tara shared.
After his conversation with Tara, Zydan couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. As he went about his tasks at the coffee shop, Lupin's story lingered in his head. "Will I end up like him?," he wondered. "Am I chasing something I may never find?"
Before he could spiral further into his thoughts, Echo's voice interrupted, its tone firm yet reassuring. |"No, you're not, Zydan. My Master's system is flawless. It will give you clear direction. There's no need for doubt."|
Zydan blinked, momentarily startled by Echo's sudden input. The system's unwavering confidence contrasted sharply with the uncertainty that had been gnawing at him.
Before he could respond, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
"Bonjour, jeune homme! Will you not greet me in French today?"
Zydan looked up to see one of the regulars, an elderly woman with a bright, warm smile. She always seemed to radiate kindness, and today was no different.
Zydan grinned, slipping naturally into the language he'd been practicing.
"Bonjour, Madame. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?"
The old woman beamed, clearly delighted by his response.
"Très bien, merci! You're improving, Zydan. Keep it up!"
Zydan's mood lightened instantly as he exchanged pleasantries with the customer. Her encouraging words were a welcome distraction from his earlier worries. As he continued with his shift, the lingering doubts seemed to fade, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.
After his shift ended, Zydan headed home, feeling the familiar weight of exhaustion mixed with a sense of accomplishment. Once he settled in, he began his nightly routine of completing the daily puzzle tasks set by the system. These mental challenges had become part of his everyday life, sharpening his focus and problem-solving skills.
After finishing the last puzzle, Zydan felt a sudden urge to check his Status Window. It was something he hadn't done since Echo had first explained it to him about 30 days ago. With a curious mind, he brought up the interface, and his eyes widened as he studied the numbers.
STATUS WINDOW
Mindflow 96 -> 104
Heartwave 80 -> 98
Soulbind 80 -> 98
Stonewill 85 -> 85
His stats had increased incrementally—.25 points daily across most attributes. But what caught his attention were his Heartwave and Soulbind stats. In addition to the daily .25-point increase, they had each jumped by 10 points. He remembered the system message from earlier, but now he was wondering if his IQ would start improving too, now that formal classes had begun.
Today had been his first day at the university, but most of his professors hadn't started teaching yet. Instead, they had simply given the students an outline of what would be required to pass the course. Zydan found himself wondering if the real challenges—and potential gains—would come once the actual lessons began.
Curious, he asked Echo about it.
"Echo, will my IQ start increasing once my classes really get going? Today was just an introductory day, but I'm wondering if that will change."
Echo responded promptly, his tone as calm and informative as ever.
|"Yes. Formal learning will stimulate your intellectual growth, and the system will reward you accordingly. The more you engage with academic challenges, the more your Mindflow stats will increase. The foundational work has begun, but the real progress will come as you immerse yourself in the material."|
Zydan nodded thoughtfully, reassured by Echo's response. With the promise of growth ahead, he felt a renewed determination to tackle his university courses head-on.
---
The next day, Zydan began his morning with his usual 10km run. The familiar rhythm of his footsteps hitting the pavement had become a grounding ritual, and today was no different. He made his way to the local track, his worn-out shoes replaced with the new pair he and Tara had picked out just the day before.
As he stretched and prepared to start his run, he noticed a familiar face arriving at the track. Tara, dressed in athletic gear, waved at him with a smile. "Hey, Zydan! Mind if I join you?"
Zydan was surprised but pleased. "Sure! Let's go."
They started running together, but it didn't take long for Zydan's pace to naturally pull him ahead. He was in his groove now, his body used to the 10km distance after weeks of practice. Tara, on the other hand, was just getting back into running after a long break. After completing his 20th lap, Zydan finally slowed down, his breathing steady and controlled.
He glanced back and saw Tara finishing her 5th lap, clearly pushing herself. She jogged over to him, hands on her hips, breathing heavily but smiling. "You're... fast," she panted, catching her breath. "Do you... know what a running mate means?"
Zydan grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I thought it meant running together."
Tara gave him a playful glare. "Yeah, well... running together means staying at the same pace, you know?"
Zydan laughed. "Sorry about that! I guess I got caught up in the routine. How about next time, we run at your pace?"
Tara chuckled and nodded. "Deal. I could use the extra motivation, but maybe not *that* much motivation at once!"
They both laughed, and Zydan felt a sense of camaraderie that added an extra layer of satisfaction to his morning workout.
As they caught their breath, Tara looked at Zydan with a curious expression. "So, are you going to register at the chess club today?"
Zydan blinked, surprised by the question. "Oh, right! I almost forgot about that. Yeah, I'm thinking about it."
Tara smiled. "You should! You've been practicing so much lately, and I think you'd do great. Plus, it's a good way to meet people with the same interests."
Zydan nodded, considering it. "You're right. I've been improving, and it might be fun to challenge myself in a club setting. Maybe I'll stop by after classes today and check it out."
Tara gave him an encouraging pat on the back. "Good! I'll be cheering you on. Just don't forget to slow down a bit—on the track and in chess!"
Zydan chuckled. "I'll try to keep that in mind."
Tara waved goodbye as she headed toward the exit of the track. "See you at the café later!" she called out with a smile.
"Yeah, see you!" Zydan replied, waving back. He watched her leave for a moment before turning toward his own path, his mind already shifting to the day ahead.
As he made his way home, Zydan thought about his routine. Once inside, he followed his usual morning ritual, starting with a quick shower to wash off the sweat from the run. After drying off, he settled down into his usual meditation spot.
Crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knees, Zydan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, allowing the calm to wash over him. Meditation had become his anchor—a way to center his thoughts and prepare for the day. Today was no different. Clearing his mind, he focused on his breathing, letting the thoughts of the chess club, the university, and even the system fade away for a few moments of quiet peace.
After finishing his meditation, Zydan opened his eyes, feeling the familiar clarity and calmness that followed. Ready to face the challenges of the day, he grabbed his bag and headed out the door, making his way to the university.